Technology

I’m probably going to do a bigger piece on this some day soon, but I’m fully ready to admit that AirPods won. As someone who mocked them endlessly when first launched, it’s obvious that the silly look has become accepted as not only the norm and also as a fashion accessory. So yeah, I have no problem in telling you to buy clones of them for cheaper price points. And there are deals to be had today. Both Anker and Mobvoi are running discounts on their AirPods alternatives. The semi-new Liberty Air from Anker are normally priced at $79.99, but you can grab a pair in black or white for $63.99 with coupon code. That’s a $16 discount! For Mobvoi, their TicPods Free in white, blue, or red are dropping from $129.99 to $89.99, thanks to a $40 off coupon. Are they any good, though? I’ve used both! I prefer the Anker Liberty Air over the Mobvoi TicPods Free. Not only are the Liberty Air cheaper, the sound quality is night and day better. Volumes are … [Read more...] about DEAL: Both Anker and Mobvoi’s AirPods Alternatives Have Big Discounts Today at Amazon

Verizon is shipping out updates to the LG V30, Samsung Galaxy S8, and Galaxy S8+. While the S8 (new software version R16NW.G950USQU5CSA4) and S8+ (new software version R16NW.G955USQU5CSA4) are only seeing the January security patch, V30 (new software version VS99620h) owners will see non-detailed camera changes alongside the January patch. If you own one of these phones, be on the lookout! // Verizon [2] [3] … [Read more...] about Verizon LG V30, Galaxy S8, and S8+ Updated With January Security Patch

The Android Q news cycle kicked off last week, thanks to a leaked build that revealed mostly positive changes coming our way. The new permissions controls look great, as does the dark mode. It might not all be great, though. Android Q appears ready to include additional controls for carriers to lock down their phones. Woof. Four particular commits were spotted by the folks at 9to5Google, filed under “aosp_simlock_q_enhancements.” The commits are focused on “carrier restriction enhancements for Android Q,” which when detailed further, sound even worse than that may lead you to believe. The basics here are that carriers will have more control over which networks they’ll allow their phones to work on, almost like a whitelist/blacklist sort of way. However, there will be new controls so specific to blocking or allowing phone use on specific carriers, that limiting use on MVNOs (prepaid carriers) won’t be out of the question. In other words, you … [Read more...] about First Bad Android Q News Arrives, Because It Involves Carriers

Anyone who uses Google Maps to navigate will have noticed one downside to it over many separate GPS devices - it doesn't inform you about speed cameras. Some American users have recently noticed that the app told them not only where speed cameras were, but also what the posted speed limit is. That's helpful because we can all sometimes have a memory lapse and forget what the limit actually is. Breaking the speed limit will result in a fine and anywhere from three to twelve points on your licence. According to Mashable users in the UK will get both speed camera warnings and be able to see the current speed limit on the road they are driving. Not everyone will get this feature at first, but the roll out will eventually allow anyone to see the crucial safety information. Most hardware devices from big manufacturers like TomTom and Garmin have a "safety camera warning" built in that informs drivers when they are at risk of being caught speeding, or hopping a red light. The idea of safety … [Read more...] about Google Maps will stop you getting caught for speeding thanks to update

The idea of a mysterious ninth planet zooming around somewhere in our solar system, hidden from sight by a weird orbit, was almost too exciting for words. But scientists are now suggesting it might not actually exist. The problem scientists had was that objects in the outer solar system had highly-elliptical orbits that didn't make sense. These objects are called trans-Neptunian Objects (TNO) and they include dwarf planets like Makemake, Eris and Haumea. A ninth planet with a mass more than 10 times greater than Earth's would, perhaps, explain these orbits but there's not a lot of evidence to support a hidden planet whizzing around the solar system. This planet would shepherd the trans-Neptunian Objects into the odd orbits and explain the outer solar system. However researchers at the University of Cambridge and the American University of Beirut think that a disc made of icy bodies with a combined mass 10 times that of Earth would account for the obits of TNOs. Previous attempts to tot … [Read more...] about Mysterious planet X might not exist after all, claim scientists